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While it’s possible to find great deals on cruise fares to Alaska, shore excursions can often be more expensive than what you are used to on a Caribbean cruise. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend on Alaska cruise excursions can better help you budget your vacation while still having an incredible cruise experience. Popular cruise excursions in Juneau include whale watching, visiting Mendenhall Glacier, tasting local seafood, and riding the Goldbelt Tramway to Mount Roberts. Whale watching tours are offered in many Alaska cruise ports, but the most common ports for whale watching are Juneau and Icy Strait Point. If you’re concerned over not packing enough or what you’ll do if clothes get dirty on a shore excursion, remember that all Royal Caribbean ships offer laundry service onboard.
Book shows and dining on the first day
North America's tallest peak, Denali, beckons from the center of the state and its wild, beating heart, Denali National Park. Hike through this vast wilderness, where taiga forests full of pines and spruce stretch below the towering peaks. While you may picture rainy, cloudy days in Alaska, you’ll be surprised at how helpful sunglasses can be on sunny days.
Can you see the northern lights on an Alaska cruise?
Some cruise lines may offer longer sailings from Seattle, such as day cruises visiting more ports and glaciers, but this is not offered on Royal Caribbean. Picture dishes like buttery escargot, succulent Maine lobster tail, tender filet mignon and even classic spaghetti Bolognese. If you're traveling with little ones, don't worry — the main dining room also offers a menu curated especially for kids. Dining here is complimentary, with very few exceptions — such as an extra charge for lobster on non-formal nights. You may also want to consider packing snacks to bring with you on your excursion, especially if traveling with kids. Alaska shore excursions can be more active than what you’re used to, so having a bag of trail mix or granola bars on hand is helpful.
ALASKA GLACIERS CRUISES
Royal Caribbean has four cruise ships offering cruises to Alaska, and each has a compelling reason to choose either of them. More summer visitors in Seward can help extend the tourism season, since travelers sometimes decide to return to Seward in winter. If excursions sell out, Royal Caribbean will occasionally add more tour options and times to book, but this is not guaranteed. Prices of shore excursions through independent providers are often cheaper than Royal Caribbean’s pricing, so be sure to look outside of Royal Caribbean for better deals. While exploring this quaint town, visitors can enjoy viewing Native totem poles, walking historic Creek Street, watching the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, and hiking the Tongass National Forest. Lastly, if tasting Alaska’s fresh seafood is on your Alaska cruise bucket list, consider booking a tour that includes a “salmon bake”.
Our Family Alaska Cruise: A Vacation We'll Never Forget Royal Caribbean Cruises
Depending on the month you’re cruising to Alaska, packing a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt as a base layer is essential. Even though you’ll be surrounded by glaciers, it can get relatively warm in southeast Alaska, especially in the summer months. A variety of local craft breweries are located in most Alaska cruise ports, offering the perfect place to wind down after a busy day exploring the state.
THE 25 BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:43:33 GMT [source]
The cheapest months to cruise Alaska are in the shoulder season of April, May, and September, although these months don’t always bring the best weather. The busiest times to cruise Alaska are in June, July, and August, so you should expect more crowds during this time of year. Seattle is convenient for most passengers from the United States, with direct flights offered to Seattle from around the country. While Vancouver still offers many direct flights to and from the United States, most cruisers find it easier to travel to Seattle.
Dining & Drinks on Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruises
Predicting the weather in Alaska is nearly impossible, and you may encounter all four seasons in just one day while visiting the state. These ships feature amenities like an indoor sports arena, rock climbing wall, indoor skydiving simulator, and FlowRider surf simulator. In addition, they have a larger Adventure Ocean kids programming space and an indoor pool for all ages.
Cruises departing from Seattle include a stop in Victoria, British Columbia, as the Jones Act requires foreign-flagged cruise ships to visit a foreign port when departing from the United States. Therefore, cruises leaving from Vancouver tend to include more port stops in Alaska itself as there is no legal obligation to stop in Victoria. Most Alaska cruises depart from either Seattle or Vancouver on round-trip 7-night sailings. Some cruises to Alaska are one-way only, though, starting in Vancouver and ending in Seward, Alaska or vice versa. This is to allow for pre and post-Cruisetours to Alaska or Canada, allowing guests to experience more inland destinations like Denali National Park and Preserve and Banff National Park. If cruising with kids, we recommend booking an Alaska cruise on a Quantum Class ship over a Radiance Class ship.
Quantum Class ships cruising to Alaska offer an indoor pool for all ages in addition to an indoor adults-only Solarium. Radiance Class ships have an indoor pool, but it’s only for ages 16+ as it is located in the Solarium. Regardless of how bad the weather outside may be or if you have already visited a port before, always get off the ship when you can. Even if you don’t have anything planned, just walking around the historic port towns can be a nice way to spend a few hours.
Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Cruises: Which sister cruise line should you choose? - The Points Guy
Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Cruises: Which sister cruise line should you choose?.
Posted: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you’re on the opposite end of the budget spectrum, there’s nothing wrong with booking a suite. Staying in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise can make your Alaska experience even more enjoyable by providing extra space and amenities like private restaurants and priority embarkation. This shoulder season will see some of the lowest prices offered all year, and you can occasionally snag a great last-minute cruise deal as fall approaches.
Just as Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable in terms of rain and snow, you may also encounter surprisingly warm weather, particularly in the peak summer season. This is another reason why layers are so important—you never know when you’ll need that t-shirt over your winter jacket. While a balcony is not a requirement on an Alaska cruise, there’s no denying a balcony cabin is nicer than an interior cabin on such a scenic itinerary. If you booked an interior or oceanview cabin for your 2024 Alaska cruise, consider upgrading to a balcony before your sail date.
Windjammer Marketplace is one of the best free restaurants on Utopia of the Seas℠ if you're looking to keep things casual. You'll find some tried-and-true favorites that are available each day of your sailing, but you could also dine on something different during every visit. If you're traveling with kids, rest assured little ones will find plenty of yummy options to satisfy any palate, all included in your cruise fare. The ship offers a mouthwatering selection of free restaurants onboard, serving up tantalizing cuisine from around the world. There are 21 total restaurants onboard, including both complimentary and specialty dining options. If you're looking to taste your way across both at a discount, consider purchasing a specialty dining package onboard or ahead of your sailing via the Cruise Planner app.
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